Living
with
Wildlife
in BC
“Living with Wildlife” is a series of nine wildlife management
guides for the agricultural and natural resource sectors, as well
as rural land owners. Op ons for wildlife management, worker
safety, and animal deterrents are provided for each species.
Many guides suggest comple ng wildlife conflict management
plans. Web links to the guides and other resources are on the
back page. Consult the “Conflict Reduc on Guide” for wildlife
deterrent management op ons.
SNAKES
#5
L. Neish
Gopher snake
Snakes found near areas where people are working can surprise and concern workers. In the past, people killed
snakes out of fear. We now recognize that snakes are valuable to agriculture for rodent control. Most snake species
are now at risk and all are protected under the BC Wildlife Act.
Western Ra lesnake, Crotalus oreganus,
Great Basin Gopher Snake, Pituophis catenifer
deser cola, commonly called “bull snake”
Ra lesnakes occur
near dry hillsides in
the interior of BC.
They are shy snakes
preferring to hide or
get away from areas
of ac vity which they
sense through ground vibra ons. Ra lesnakes kill
their prey with a venomous bite which is also
dangerous to humans. They will travel through or
hunt for mice in agricultural areas, some mes se ng
up summer foraging territories near crop areas
where mice are found. Ra lesnakes o en stay in the
same spot for days basking in the sun, or if it is hot,
staying cool in the shade.
 Triangular, wedge-shaped head
 Ver cal cat's eye pupils
 Ra le at the end of the tail
 Grey-green or brown oval-shaped body
markings surrounded by pale edges
 New born ra lesnakes have a single “bu on”
at the end of the tail so do not ra le but can
bite!
This common snake of
the southern interior of
BC is not venomous but
is o en mistaken for a
ra lesnake because of
its similar colour, size
and habitat. When
threatened, gopher snakes may make a hissing noise.
Gopher snakes can climb into vines and shrubs and
o en explore underground rodent burrows. Growing
to over a meter in size, this snake is o en welcome in
vineyards and farms where it preys primarily on mice
and voles.
 Small narrow head
 Round dark pupils
 Pointed tail
 Square-shaped markings down the body
 When threatened, may vibrate its tail in
imita on of a ra lesnake
also called Northern Pacific Ra lesnake
M. Bezener
M. Bezener
S
B
C
cont’d
Northern American Racer, Coluber constrictor
Adults are an unmarked grey or brown colour with pale undersides that
can be nged with blue. Young racers are spo ed. Slender and fast with
small heads, racers have large eyes. They are day- me hunters that
tolerate hot temperatures.
M. Bezener
Northern Rubber Boa
This small brown snake has a blunt head and tail, ny eyes and fine scales.
Ac ve at night, it usually hides under cover during the day and is rarely
encountered.
M. Bezener
Garter Snake (three species)
Small to medium-sized snakes, the Common, Terrestrial and Northwestern
garter snakes have pale or yellow stripes down their bodies as well as
small spots. They prefer moist areas and will go in water to catch tadpoles
and fish as well as ea ng rodents. They are easily frightened away but
may bite or secrete a smelly residue when handled.
D. Cannings
Desert Night Snake
M. Bezener
This small, seldom seen snake is the rarest snake in Canada. It lives in
talus slopes of the southern interior, preying on lizards. It is beige with
brown spots and has a dis nc ve dark saddle behind the head.
S
 Understanding snakes is the first step to apprecia ng them.
 Snakes have suffered declines since human development has taken away their habitat.
 Vehicles kill significant numbers of snakes each year. Watch for snakes basking on the road when driving vehicles
including tractors and ATVs. Keep snake tongs or a long s ck in the vehicle for moving them off the road.
 It is against the law to harass or kill a na ve snake or keep it as a pet.
 Post snake informa on bulle ns and ID posters in lunch rooms and work sheds so field crews can iden fy snakes
and feel safe around them. Posters are available at www.osca.org/ “ Living with Wildlife” pages. They are available in
Spanish, French and Punjabi.
On the Farm
M

Leave gullies as migra on corridors for snakes and other
wildlife.

Maintain natural habitat buffers around rocky slopes where
snakes have their dens.

Before mowing and lling walk over the area and check for
snakes.

Create snake hiding habitat away from work areas. Snakes like to get out
of the heat to shady spots. Rock piles and wood cover boards placed
away from ac vity areas might prevent a snake from hiding under
grapevines or in a tool shed.

If you work in snake country, stairways and low pla orms are ideal hiding
spots for snakes. To prevent accidental snake encounters, make sure stair
risers are fully-framed in not open.

Keep vineyard bird ne ng elevated off the ground so snakes don't get
tangled in it and store it off the ground when not in use.

Consider installing snake barrier fencing if ra lesnakes are frequently
encountered. See Conflict Reduc on Guide #8 or page 4 references.
Worker Safety
Best Practices
Tips
 Never put your hands

“Ra lesnake country” is also the vaca on spot and fruit and grape growing
region of the province. Despite frequent encounters with ra lesnakes only a few
people each year report to hospitals with ra lesnake bites.

I

…
 Stop and find out which direc on the noise is coming from.
 Slowly move away. If you are in striking range, stay s ll and get someone
else to distract the snake.
 Do not a empt to move a ra lesnake unless it is necessary. Most will move
away on their own.
 Remain calm and make sure someone watches the snake so no one else is
bi en. Do not kill or collect the snake.
 Reassure the person that bites are not fatal and rarely have long-term
effects.
 Drive the person to the closest hospital. If possible have someone call the
hospital ahead.
 Some bites are “dry' with no venom.
 Venom works on the nerves so a person should never drive themselves.
 Do not apply a tourniquet, make cuts or suck the wound.


under lumber or inside
dark spaces where a
snake might hide.
Wear high boots when
working in snake
country where the
ground is hidden by
vegeta on.
Use a pole to check
underneath lumber or
bins where snakes
might hide.
Knowledge about
snakes will help you
work comfortably in
areas where snakes
occur. Post snake
informa on in work
places.
Although only the
ra lesnake is
venomous, some
snakes will bite if
handled roughly.
Snakes are ac ve from
April to October
R
If you live or work in an area frequented by ra lesnake there may be mes
that ra lesnakes need to be moved. Proper equipment and employee
training is recommended.
 Snake tongs are a safe tool to relocate ra lesnakes. Lay a tall plas c garbage
pail on its side and encourage the snake to go in using a long s ck or broom
if tongs are not available. Carefully secure the lid and quickly move the snake
to a vegetated area away from work areas. Slowly lower the container and
carefully remove the lid, allowing the snake to gradually move out.
 Snakes can over-heat so never leave a snake container in the sun or in a car.
If snakes are frequently encountered in your work place, consider having a container dedicated for snakes. Cut
small air holes in the lid and label it “live ra lesnake”.
 If snakes must be moved, relocate them toward hillsides and natural habitat no more than 500 m away. Snakes
must find their home dens to survive through the winter.

Further informa on:
 “Guide to Safely Reloca ng Ra lesnakes” can be downloaded from www.osca.org “Living with Wildlife” pages.
 Snake ID posters and pamphlets www.osca.org “Living with Wildlife” pages.
 “Snake barrier Fencing” http://www.soscp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Snake-Barrier-Fencing.pdf
 Order snake tongs from www.tongs.com.
Contacts & Resources
“Living with Wildlife in BC” management guide series:
# 1 Bear
#2 Cougar
#3 Coyote & Wolf
#4 Rodents
#5 Snakes
#6 Starlings
#7 Ungulates
#8 Conflict Reduc on: mi ga on op ons for wildlife safety and control
Mi ga on Decision Matrix: calendar of wildlife occurrences and recommended controls
__________________________________________
The wildlife guides are built on the work of government ministries and wildlife and conserva on organiza ons who generously
shared informa on, reviewed and contributed to this series. Authors: © 2013 Margaret Holm and Zoe Kirk. Project Sponsor:
Okanagan Similkameen Conserva on Alliance (OSCA), contact [email protected].
The “Living with Wildlife” series is available for downloading and distribu on (personal, noncommercial use) on the following
websites:
www.osca.org “Living With Wildlife” pages
http://www.rdos.bc.ca/departments/public-works/wildsafe-bc-bear-aware/
www.bcwgc.org Health and Safety Sec on
This project was funded in part by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. through programs it delivers on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, are pleased to participate in the production of this publication. We are
committed to working with our industry partners to address issues of importance to the agriculture and agri-food industry in British Columbia. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of
the authors and not necessarily those of the Investment Agriculture Foundation, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture or Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.